Star Wars is giving one of its most recognizable characters another new voice, with Lucasfilm officially recasting Obi-Wan Kenobi for an unprecedented new version of the original movie.
Disney, Lucasfilm, Welsh broadcaster S4C, and Creative Wales have announced the first-ever official Welsh-language version of Star Wars: A New Hope (1977), which will be completely redubbed in Welsh as part of the film’s 50th anniversary celebrations in 2027.
Titled Star Wars: Gobaith Newydd, the project features an entirely new Welsh voice cast, with Welsh actor Rhys Ifans taking over the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi.
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Rhys Ifans Is the New Obi-Wan Kenobi
The recasting marks another chapter in the long history of Obi-Wan Kenobi being portrayed by different performers.
Sir Alec Guinness originated the character in A New Hope (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980), and Return of the Jedi (1983), before Ewan McGregor portrayed a younger version of Obi-Wan in the prequel trilogy, including The Phantom Menace (1999), Attack of the Clones (2002), and Revenge of the Sith (2005).
McGregor later returned for the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi, while James Arnold Taylor became closely associated with the animated version of the character through Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, and numerous video games.
Now, Ifans will provide a new Welsh-language performance of the character for Gobaith Newydd. He is joined by Matthew Rhys as Han Solo, Aimee-Ffion Edwards as Princess Leia, and Osian Morgan as Luke Skywalker.
Ifans is already known for roles in major productions including Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 and The Amazing Spider-Man, but his new role gives him a unique connection to the Star Wars franchise.
Star Wars Comes to Wales
The project is particularly significant for Welsh-speaking audiences, with Lucasfilm Co-President Lynwen Brennan highlighting the country’s storytelling traditions and language.
“Wales has such a rich history of storytelling and a beautiful lyrical language,” Brennan said. She added that she hopes Welsh speakers can experience the movie with “the same emotional impact” as watching it again for the first time.
Star Wars: Gobaith Newydd will premiere on S4C and its streaming platforms on Christmas Day, December 25, 2026.
What do you think of Rhys Ifans as the new Welsh voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi? Let us know in the comments below!
